This ark balloon lit up the sky in Albuquerque, come to AOPA Aviation Summit to see the unique balloons on display at Airportfest.

AOPA Aviation Summit will host an intimate night glow, giving attendees a taste of what it is like to experience it at the popular Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Visitors gather around a balloon during a glow at Albuquerque. AOPA Aviation Summit attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the balloons during the night glow at the Rock 'n Rally.

Balloon glows are popular at Albuquerque, and AOPA is bringing that excitement to Summit in September!

AOPA will be bringing a taste of that experience to AOPA Aviation Summit in Hartford, Conn., this September. Hot air balloons will display the lighter side of GA at Airportfest at Hartford Brainard Airport.

AOPA is planning early-morning balloon inflations, weather permitting, during each day of Summit, Sept. 22 through 24. A special highlight will be an intimate balloon glow on Friday night, Sept. 23, during the Rock ‘n Rally at Airportfest, with live music from the Connecticut group Out of Touch.

Hartford restaurants will serve their finest cuisine for sampling. Each Rock ‘n Rally attendee will receive four sampling tickets to redeem at participating restaurants. The cost to attend the Rock ‘n Rally is $50 per person, with complimentary shuttle transportation available from the Connecticut Convention Center to the event beginning at 4:45 p.m., and from the event back to key hotels beginning at 7 p.m. ( See participating restaurants, shuttles to hotels, and event information.)

So kick back, relax with your family and fellow aviators for a spectacular night of entertainment, and marvel at the beautiful shapes and shadows created by the night hot air balloon glow.

After the fun, the balloons will depart in succession on Saturday morning, Sept. 24, but not before giving attendees the opportunity to snap some pictures.

AOPA is calling on its members to take immediate action to build support for new legislation that would reform the third class medical process and provide other protections for general aviation pilots.